Excavator Stability Guide
Simple Steps to Help Prevent Excavator Overturns
Excavators are designed to work safely, but they can become unstable if they’re used incorrectly.
Most stability issues are caused by poor ground conditions, overloading, incorrect lifting, unsuitable attachments or unsafe operating techniques.
Understanding your machine’s limits, checking the lift charts, using the dozer blade where fitted and carrying out proper pre-use checks can significantly reduce the risk of an overturn.
Excavator Stability At a Glance
| Topic | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Ground conditions | Soft or uneven ground can affect stability. |
| Dozer blade | Helps improve stability when used correctly. |
| Lift charts | Show the excavator’s safe lifting limits. |
| Attachments | Different attachments change the machine’s balance. |
| LOLER | Required where excavators are used for lifting operations. |
| Operator training | Good training helps prevent avoidable incidents. |
Who Should Read This Guide?
This guide is useful for:
- Excavator operators
- Groundworkers
- Site supervisors
- Employers
- Plant managers
- Anyone involved in lifting with excavators
What You’ll Learn
After reading this guide you’ll understand:
- Why excavators become unstable.
- How to reduce the risk of overturning.
- Why lift charts matter.
- When the dozer blade should be used.
- How attachments affect stability.
- When LOLER inspections apply.
What Makes an Excavator Unstable?
Most overturns don’t happen because something suddenly fails.
They happen because several small factors combine.
Common causes include:
- Uneven or soft ground.
- Slewing Over the tracks at full reach
- Incorrect travel position on inclines
- Lifting loads that are too heavy.
- Working across steep slopes.
- Incorrect attachment selection.
- Swinging loads too quickly.
- Travelling with raised loads.
- Poor operator judgement.
Understanding these risks before work starts is one of the simplest ways to improve safety.
Check the Ground First
Never assume the ground will support the excavator.
Before starting work, check for:
- Soft ground.
- Recently backfilled trenches.
- Underground services.
- Voids.
- Steep slopes.
- Standing water.
If the ground isn’t suitable, stop and reassess the work.
Use the Dozer Blade
If your excavator is fitted with a dozer blade, use it whenever it’s appropriate for the task.
The blade can improve stability by providing additional support, particularly during excavation and some lifting activities.
It should always be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Always Follow the Lift Charts
Every excavator has lifting limits.
These are shown in the machine’s lift charts.
Lift charts tell you:
- Maximum safe lifting capacity.
- Safe working radius.
- Boom position.
- Load limits.
Never guess what an excavator can lift.
Attachments Change Stability
Changing the attachment also changes the machine.
A heavier bucket, hydraulic breaker, selector grab or tiltrotator can all affect:
- Balance.
- Lifting capacity.
- Working radius.
- Machine performance.
Always make sure the attachment is suitable for the excavator and the work being carried out.
Read our Excavator Attachments Guide.
Lifting with an Excavator
Excavators are often used for lifting operations, but lifting should never be treated as routine.
If an excavator is lifting suspended loads:
- Use the correct lifting point.
- Check the lift charts.
- Follow the lift plan where required.
- Keep people clear of the load.
- Never exceed the rated capacity.
Where lifting forms part of the work activity, the excavator should have a current LOLER Thorough Examination where applicable, and lifting accessories should also be inspected and suitable for the task.
Read our Excavator as a Crane Safety Guide.
Don’t Rush on Slopes
Travelling or working across slopes increases the risk of overturning.
Where possible:
- Travel straight up or down slopes.
- Keep the load low.
- Avoid sudden movements.
- Reduce speed.
- Reassess if conditions change.
If you’re unsure, don’t continue and check the operators manual for maximum slope angles
Carry Out Daily Inspections
A proper pre-use inspection isn’t just about compliance.
It helps identify issues that could affect stability, including:
- Hydraulic leaks.
- Loose bucket pins.
- Tyre or track condition.
- Attachment security.
- Cracks or damage.
- Warning systems.
Download our 360 Excavator Daily Inspection Checklist.
Expert Tip from Vally Plant Training
One of the biggest mistakes we see is operators relying on experience instead of checking the machine.
Even experienced operators should stop, assess the ground, check the lift charts and think about how today’s conditions might differ from yesterday’s.
Good operators never assume.
Common Mistakes
Ignoring soft ground.
Lifting without checking the lift chart.
Working with the wrong attachment.
Travelling with raised loads.
Forgetting to use the dozer blade where fitted.
Swinging loads too quickly.
Using an excavator for lifting without proper planning.
Related Plant Operator Guides
- How to Become an Excavator Operator
- 360 Excavator Categories Explained
- NPORS Excavator Training Guide
- How Much Is an Excavator Ticket?
- Plant Operator NVQ Guide
- CPCS vs NPORS Guide
- In-House vs NPORS Accredited Training
Related Plant Safety Guides
- Daily Plant Inspections Explained
- Working Near Underground Services
- Excavator as a Crane Safety Guide
- Excavator Attachments Guide
Related Downloads
Related Training
If you regularly use excavators for lifting, lifting accessories or specialist attachments, Vally Plant Training offers:
- NPORS 360 Excavator Training
- Excavator as a Crane Training
- Slinger Signaller Training
- Lift Supervisor Training
- Plant Operations NVQs
Training is available at our Tewkesbury training centre or on customer sites across the UK.
About This Guide
Written by: Vally Plant Training
This guide has been prepared and reviewed by the instructional team at Vally Plant Training, an NPORS Accredited Training Provider and CITB Approved Training Organisation. It is based on practical training experience, recognised industry guidance and the real-world situations our instructors regularly encounter on construction sites.
Last Reviewed: July 2026
Important Information
This guide provides general information and recognised good practice for improving excavator stability. It does not replace the excavator manufacturer’s operating manual, site-specific risk assessments, lift plans or method statements. Operators should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, use suitable attachments, work within the machine’s rated capacities and ensure lifting operations are properly planned and supervised where required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Does the dozer blade improve excavator stability?
Yes. On excavators fitted with a dozer blade, it can provide additional stability for certain tasks. Always use it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and never rely on it to compensate for poor ground conditions or overloading.
What is a lift chart?
A lift chart shows the excavator’s safe lifting capacities at different boom positions and working radii. Operators should always refer to the lift chart before lifting suspended loads.
Do excavators used for lifting need LOLER inspections?
Where an excavator is used for lifting operations, it should normally have a current LOLER Thorough Examination, together with suitable lifting accessories that have also been inspected. Employers should ensure lifting equipment is examined and maintained in line with the applicable legal requirements.
Can an excavator be used for lifting?
Yes, but only when the excavator is suitable for lifting and the operation has been properly planned and conforms to LOLER and BS7121. Operators should understand lifting capacities, use appropriate lifting accessories and follow the relevant site procedures.
Why do excavators overturn?
The most common causes are soft ground, overloading, incorrect lifting techniques, unsuitable attachments, travelling across slopes and poor operator judgement. Many overturns can be prevented through planning and safe operating practices.
Do attachments affect excavator stability?
Yes. Every attachment changes the excavator’s weight distribution and can affect lifting capacity, reach and overall stability. Operators should always use attachments approved for the machine and understand how they influence safe operation.
Can excavator stability be improved through training?
Absolutely. Good operator training helps people understand machine limitations, ground assessment, lift charts, safe lifting techniques and the practical decisions that reduce the risk of overturning.